{"id":6234,"date":"2024-01-15T18:03:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.espacotalassa.com\/?page_id=6234"},"modified":"2026-05-04T12:39:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:39:03","slug":"ethics-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/espacotalassa.com\/en\/ethics-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethics &amp; law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Responsible Way of Exploring the Azores<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelers who choose <strong>Espa\u00e7o Talassa<\/strong> come to the Azores in search of something real, to step outside daily routines, rediscover the rhythm of time, marvel at encounters with <strong>whales and dolphins<\/strong>, and connect with people whose lives and stories differ from their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But our presence in such quiet, pristine places carries responsibility. The same curiosity that brings us close to nature can also disturb it. With this <strong>Code of Ethics<\/strong>, we aim to <strong>minimize our impact<\/strong> and <strong>preserve the natural harmony<\/strong> of the Azores \u2014 its culture, its people, and its ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By respecting those we meet and protecting what we observe, we ensure that each journey is not only unforgettable, but also part of a <strong>sustainable future for these islands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Before the Voyage<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before every trip, we prepare our guests with knowledge <strong>because understanding is the first step to respect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Our <strong>library<\/strong> is open to everyone, offering books, videos, research, and access to our <strong>database of observations<\/strong> collected since 1993.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>15-20-minute briefing<\/strong> before each voyage introduces you to the cetaceans of the Azorean sea: their habitat, communication, and behaviour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our <strong>biologists<\/strong> are available to answer questions and share the latest information about the animals you\u2019ll encounter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>At Sea, With the Animals<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The animals always set the rules. Their behaviour determines how we approach, how long we stay, and when we leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before approaching any group of cetaceans, we consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>species<\/strong> (each reacts differently to boats).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>presence of juveniles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their <strong>activity<\/strong> (feeding, resting, socialising, or travelling).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our general conduct at sea follows these principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Approach slowly from the rear quarter, maintaining constant speed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never closer than <strong>50 meters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never position the boat between calves and adults.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A maximum of <strong>three boats<\/strong> may observe the same group within <strong>150 meters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boats remain on the same side, never surrounding the animals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not stay with the same animal for more than <strong>10 minutes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depart slowly, keeping reduced speed within <strong>300 meters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never try to <strong>touch or feed<\/strong> an animal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although these encounters can be powerful, whales and dolphins are not always willing to interact, especially when feeding, mating, or caring for calves. The skipper evaluates every situation, balancing sea conditions, species behaviour, and safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Swimming with large whales is <strong>prohibited<\/strong> under Azorean law. Under certain conditions, swimming with<strong> dolphins<\/strong> may be allowed  \u2014 with these 5 different species: common, spotted, striped, bottlenose, and Risso\u2019s \u2014, but only with <strong>snorkelling gear<\/strong>, never scuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research sometimes requires exceptions to these rules, but only when absolutely necessary and under strict ethical standards to ensure <strong>minimal disturbance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Respect and Encounter<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Respect for people is as important as respect for animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not judge too quickly those whose culture was shaped by <strong>150 years of whaling<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn and use a few Portuguese words: <em>\u201cobrigado,\u201d \u201cbom dia,\u201d \u201ccomo est\u00e1?\u201d<\/em> \u2014 they open hearts and smiles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dress appropriately in the villages and avoid changing clothes in public places such as ports or docks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always ask before photographing people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tips and gifts are optional gestures of appreciation; salaries in the Azores remain modest compared to mainland Europe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Handicrafts and Souvenirs<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Refuse to buy any products made from marine animals.<br>The <strong>CITES convention<\/strong> prohibits the sale of ivory, whale bone, turtle shells, and shark teeth.<br>Espa\u00e7o Talassa works with two clear objectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inform<\/strong> visitors about the danger of ivory commerce and its link to whaling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support local craftspeople<\/strong> who use <strong>alternative materials<\/strong> such as wood, stone, and vegetable ivory.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Working Together<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Espa\u00e7o Talassa contributes to a sustainable future by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Investing in <strong>professional training<\/strong> for our team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hosting <strong>foreign students<\/strong> and supporting <strong>Portuguese interns<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborating with <strong>environmental associations<\/strong> like <em>Quercus<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing <strong>educational programs for schools<\/strong>, including at-cost sea trips for students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Looking Ahead<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whales in the Azores are no longer hunted but new threats persist: <strong>pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss<\/strong>.<br>Since 1992, Espa\u00e7o Talassa has collaborated with the <strong>University of the Azores<\/strong> and the <strong>Regional Government<\/strong> to develop whale-watching regulations that protect both animals and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This led to the <strong>1999 Regional Decree (9\/99\/A)<\/strong>, the foundation of responsible whale watching in the Azores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our next goal is the creation of the <strong>Azores Ocean Sanctuary<\/strong>: a lasting refuge for cetaceans in the heart of the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Our Commitment<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Espa\u00e7o Talassa lives by this <strong>Code of Ethics<\/strong> \u2014 not as a rulebook, but as a way of life.<br>By joining our voyages, you become part of this commitment.<br>Together \u2014 travelers, guides, and the sea itself \u2014 we can ensure that tourism remains not an intrusion, but a <strong>continuation of respect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe question remains: can tourism truly be sustainable?<br>We believe it can \u2014 if it begins with awareness, humility, and care.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Azorean law (in portuguese)<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/decreto-legislativo-regional-n-999a\/\">Decreto-leis : 99\/9-A (Azorean law, in portuguese)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Decreto_do_Presidente_da_Republica_n.o_20.pdf\">Decreto do Presidente da Republica : n.\u00b020<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Decreto_Legislativo_Regional_n.o_13_2004_A.pdf\">Decreto Legislativo Regional : n.\u00b013<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Portaria_n._5_2004_de_29_de_Janeiro.pdf\">Portaria n.\u00b0 5 2004 de 29 de Janeiro<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Portaria_n._17_2007_de_29_de_Marco.pdf\">Portaria n.\u00b0 17 2007 de 29 de Marco<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Portaria_n._49_2004_de_24_de_Junho_de_2004.pdf\">Portaria n.\u00b0 49 2004 de 24 de Junho de 2004<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Portaria_n._70_2005_de_8_de_Setembro_de_2005.pdf\">Portaria n.\u00b0 70 2005 de 8 de Setembro de 2005<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espacotalassa.com\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-bootstrap\/images\/Rectificacoes_107_2004.pdf\">Rectificacoes 107 2004<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Responsible Way of Exploring the Azores Travelers who choose Espa\u00e7o Talassa come to the Azores in search of something real, to step outside daily routines, rediscover the rhythm of time, marvel at encounters with whales and dolphins, and connect with people whose lives and stories differ from their own. But our presence in such quiet, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Discover our commitment to sustainable ocean exploration. Learn how Espa\u00e7o Talassa protects Azores wildlife and culture while creating unforgettable whale","rank_math_facebook_title":"Responsible Whale Watching in the Azores","rank_math_facebook_description":"Experience the ocean responsibly. Espa\u00e7o Talassa's Code of Ethics ensures sustainable encounters with whales, dolphins, and pristine Azores nature for","rank_math_facebook_image":"","rank_math_twitter_title":"Responsible Whale Watching in the Azores","rank_math_twitter_description":"Experience the ocean responsibly. 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